(This is my plot, but the characters belong to JK Rowling and her amazing fictitious mind. When I started writing this I planned for it to be a simple one-shot based on something that would never happen, but because some people have asked me to continue it into a story, I will. Thanks for reading and I hope people will review. Just bare in mind JK Rowling invented the books I love so much. Italics have been used for emphasis in dialogue in this chapter)

Chapter Three

"So, Severus..." Lucius' cool voice drifted into Severus' ear once Voldemort had left with Hermione. "What do you make of that?"

Severus concentrated hard on ridding his face of emotion and unclenching his fists.

"What do I make of what?" He asked, trying to act calm.

"What do you make of the Dark Lord taking your slave and making her his fianceé?" Lucius asked, smirking.

"The Dark Lord can do whatever he likes, I shall serve him in every and any way." Severus replied.

"Ah, yes, my slippery friend, but it's harder when emotions get involved."

"What are you talking about?" Severus demanded angrily.

"I'm talking about your feelings for the girl." Lucius smirked. "Does the Dark Lord know you love the filthy little mudblood?"

Severus growled and suddenly turned, wrapping ihs hands in the material of Lucius' death eater robes and picking him up off of the floor and slamming him into a nearby wall.

"Don't you dare call Hermione that ever again. She is far from filthy." Severus said. He was suprisingly strong for such a slight frame, and fear had momentarily crossed the elder Malfoy's face, as well as shock.

"I disagree, my friend. Now, get your hands off me."

Severus released Lucius, who fell to the floor in a graceful manner.

"She's filthy because she'd a mudblood but also because she's a whore whose willing to open her legs for anyone. She let several Death Eaters fuck her Severus. Only a filthy person would do that. She wasn't bad, either." Lucius said, smirking at the angry expression on his fellow comrade's pale face. "She's just a filthy whore Severus. Of course, you already knew that."

Lucius smirked one last time before striding away quickly before Severus could curse him.

Severus looked around the room at all the other Death Eaters, scowled at them and then left the room quickly; his robes billowing out behind him.

Voldemort's lips had crashed into Hermione's as soon as they left the hall. She'd been pushed into the wall with the force of his body against her. His spider-like hands trailed over her clothed body.

"Remove them, fianceé. I have to be inside you now." he said huskily.

Hermione obeyed immedietly and Lord Voldemort groaned in satisfaction.

He entered her quickly, screwing her against the cold stone walls of the castle.

Minutes later, they both climaxed. They stood together, naked, in the cold corridors.

Voldemort leaned his forward against Hermione's as he breathed in and out quickly.

"Master?" Hermione said.

Voldemort murmured in reply.

"Why did you change your mind?"

"I had to." He replied, tilting his head up to look into Hermione's eyes. "I need an heir and a wife. I've been alone for too long. I need people to love me, rather than just serve me. I wanted to change." A smile crept onto Hermione's lips. "Only a little." He added, kissing her lips again.

"Come on, let us retire to our rooms." Voldemort said, taking Hermione's hand and leading her up to his quarters.

Severus entered the potions classroom and let out a cry of outrage. He picked up a glass vial and threw it against the wall, feeling pleased as it smashed. He overturned several desks, broke several more things and even cast the cruciatus curse on a wall.

Once he'd finished his 'tantrum' he collapsed onto the stone floor, held his head in his hands and wept for his loss.

Hermione had fallen asleep in her fiance's arms after they'd reached their bedroom and had another passionate sex session. When she woke up a few hours later, he was gone. However, there was a new silver snake-shaped ring on her ring finger. She looked down at it and smiled to herself, turning over on the bed and wrapping the covers around herself.

In Dumbledore's office Lord Voldemort was sat studying some ancient texts, desperate for some kind of answer. He had been reading through these books and pieces of parchment for hours, scanning every page to find out what could help him. He wanted to find the most suitable spell or potion to gain the outcome he wanted and needed. He knew that Hermione could help him with this research, but he didn't want to tell her so it would be a surprise.

Voldemort's eyes gleamed as he found the perfect potion.

In the Potions classroom, Severus was no longer crying. He'd fixed the classroom shortly after he'd stopped crying, so now it looked perfectly normal. He'd also used a spell on himself to get rid of any signs that he might have been crying. After all, he'd only cried twice in his life before this time. Once, as a young boy when his toy broke, and his father had hit him and told him that boys don't cry, and again when he was at Hogwarts being fiercely bullied. He'd vowed never to cry after the Marauders caught him crying as a young teenager and had teased him over it for the rest of their time together. He'd broken his own promise to himself today and he was angry with himself for it. However, he'd never really loved anyone before like this and to lose Hermione now severely hurt him. He felt like his heart had broken and life had lost meaning. In his entire life, Severus Snape could never recall feeling as bad as this. He left the classroom and entered his quarters. He needed to sleep. Before he could reach the door, his master entered the room.

"Good Evening." Lord Voldemort greeted.

Severus turned to the doorway and bowed.

"My Lord."

"I need your services Severus."

"Of course. How can I serve you?" Severus asked, stepping away from his quarters and over to the Dark Lord, who handed him a piece of parchment.

"I shall be too busy this week to make this potion, however, I need it before the ball. I wish for you to make it for me."

Severus looked at the piece of paper. His eyes widened with surprise at what it did.

"But, sir...I've never made this potion before, I've only even heard of it once. I don't think I could make it." Snape replied.

"Nonsense. You're the best potion maker I've ever met besides myself. You can follow the instructions and get this right. If it worries you, brew it twice so you're less likely to make mistakes. Now, I must go as I've got to start planning for the ball. Remember to devote all your attention to this potion. Only take breaks to eat and sleep. Nothing but this potion should be important to you this week."

"Yes, my lord." Severus said, as he bowed again. Lord Voldemort swept from the room and Severus looked down at the parchment again, shaking his head and muttering darkly under his breath.

Hermione woke gently from her slumber and slid off of her bed, pulling a green silk dressing robe around her naked body. She left the bedroom and walked out into Dumbledore's office, where Voldeomort was sat writing on parchment.

"Master?" Hermione said.

Voldemort looked up. His eyes locked onto Hermione's and he smiled sincerely. Hermione smiled back, surprised at the change in him and the feelings he was able to show now.

"I want to know how formal I am meant to be with you. How do I address you, what do I do, say and wear?" Hermione remained standing as she hadn't received permission to sit.

Voldemort paused before reaching out and taking Hermione's hands in his.

"Hermione. I have fallen in love with you. You are the one person to ever capture my heart. Despite being a mudblood, you mean a lot to me. After all, you were the first girl I've been intimate with." Hermione's eyes widened at the confession because Tom Riddle had been a very handsome young man. "You can call me Master, Lord, Dear, Darling; anything you want. As for what you say, do and wear, it is up to you. I might set down rules or make requests occasionally, but you are not under my control. You're not quite my equal, as you know, however, we're as close to equal as we'll ever get. You do not need to treat me like I'm your master and I will not treat you like a slave, more like a submissive lover." Voldemort grinned. Hermione smiled back, and sat in a chair beside him. She looked at his face. His pale skin, red eyes and snake-like features. She was not afraid of him. She had feelings for him. Hermione kissed his lips.

"Thank you." she muttered softly, giving his hands a squeeze.

Lord Voldemort smiled to himself. He liked this new sensation and realised now it was not a sign of weakness. It was simply love.